Usability Testing

We are committed to ensuring our website serves the people who use it. Help us by volunteering to participate in usability research, focus groups, and other types of product evaluations. We're looking for all types and levels of computer experience, so anyone who's interested is eligible to sign up!

what is involved in being a participant?

Sometimes we interview you over the phone about a particular web page or product. Other types of testing require that you come to our office in Washington, DC. Normally, we need participants for a session lasting from 1-1/2 to 3 hours. We'll tell you how much time is required when we call about the possibility of you being a participant. Every evaluation is different, but typically we ask you to perform tasks on a particular web product we are developing. Frequently we'll either interview you or have you fill out a questionnaire after the session for your opinion on how easy the web page was to use.

We may ask your permission to videotape the sessions to conduct detailed analysis of how the product performs and may capture your face on video. If you agree, you'll be asked to sign a video consent form. We treat all video data as confidential information.

when do you do these evaluations?

Typically we arrange testing Monday through Friday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET) and try to accommodate our participants' schedules as best we can.

how soon will I be asked to participate?

Sorry, we really don't know that. It just depends on the type of web products we are developing. When we have an evaluation that fits your profile, we'll most likely give you a call to arrange a session.

how do I sign up?

Please email BAPowell@ers.usda.gov, Brenda Powell with your name and contact information. We will then contact you to get a basic idea of your professional background, experience with computers, and information-seeking needs. After we have this information, we will let you know when a session becomes available. Remote (phone) testing is open to anyone in the United States. Product evaluations held in-person at our headquarters in Washington, DC are limited to individuals within the immediate DC metro area (DC/MD/VA).

anything else I can do?

If you have friends or colleagues whom you think might be interested in participating, feel free to point them to this web page so they can sign up to participate too.